Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dark_Rhapsody 01-15-07, 01:13 AM	Okay, I am never really sure with myself on alot of things, and coming up with D&D adventures aren't much different. I am using the FR setting, but I am integrating in Vecna as a deity (this can be changed however, if you think that I should stick to the core deities of FR). My player (yes, one player, but I do have NPCs) has already begun, but isn't very far). This isn't really an adventure idea as much as a module idea, but whatever: Okay, a yaunti (haven't came up with the name; wizard/cleric of Vecna) is trying to take a hold in the Silver Marches. To do this, he tries to use blackmail (which my PC has already helped out unknowingly by giving the yaunti proof of a self-rightous mayor's gambling habit). The yaunti has alliances (rather through blackmail or bribery) with a dark naga that lives under Silverymoon, a thieves' guild, and many numerous humanoid groups (goblins, orcs, etc.). Okay, the module has already begun (it is the first "chapter" of a camaign) and so far, the yaunti kidnaped a local herbalist in a small town in the Silver Marches by using goblin cohorts. The PC payed a local ranger to give him information about any possible hideouts. After finding the hideout, he went inside and did his slaying of the goblins (he is a fighter with a wizard partner, but it was still a hard fight). In the final room, he meets the yaunti (which he never saw), but in exchange for the herbalist's safe return, he tricked the town mayor into giving proof of his gambling habits (had to deal with a verbose contract and alot of wine). After giving the proof to the yaunti, the PC decides to go to Silverymoon to hideout in case the mayor of the town decides to seek revenge on the PC for getting him trapped in blackmail. Anyways, that is where he is at. The yaunti is going to use the information to blackmail the mayor into making political decisions. However, I am also going to have the yaunti use his familiar to spy on the head of the guard in Silverymoon. He will then use any incriminating information to have the city guards to ignore the guild's activities. Anyways, so...do you think I am off to a good start? I know I have bits and pieces missing, but that will come in time. I haven't been a DM for quite a while and I just wanna know if I am doing well so far. Also, any additons to the story would be nice :) I never mind extra ideas.
Thomar_of_Uointer 01-15-07, 02:25 AM	Hmm... Where's the manipulating good monster behind the curtain? I always set up situations like this from all four ends of the alignment spectrum. In my campaign, I have two dragons, an aberration, and a paladin all in the same ten-mile radius, and each of a challenge rating about 3 higher than the party level. Currently, one of the PCs is dating one without knowing it. It makes for a good clash when the PCs make everything fall apart.
Tiarn 01-15-07, 04:45 AM	I would have to wonder why the need to insert a Greyhawk deity into FR. There are already plenty of deities in FR. I would think you could find an evil deity to be a cleric of fairly easily. :confused: Have you read about Shar? She often manipulates people through their secrets. That one seems likely to me. I was just wondering.
Free1983 01-15-07, 08:24 AM	Nice, Does the player know he's working for the bad guy? He should know he isn't mommy's good boy (because he's helping to blackmail the mayor), so how is he acting? What is his alignment? Anyway, you can continue giving him tasks (possibly a bit harder) and see how long he complies. At some point he should discover the truth about his boss. His boss should be prepared as he knows what the player is capable off. If your player hasn't got a clue and you're out of ideas about chores the player could do, have the player encounter a NPC that somehow reveals the truth. You'll have nice roleplay options when the player finds his boss. cheers
Dark_Rhapsody 01-15-07, 08:55 AM	I would have to wonder why the need to insert a Greyhawk deity into FR. There are already plenty of deities in FR. I would think you could find an evil deity to be a cleric of fairly easily. :confused: Have you read about Shar? She often manipulates people through their secrets. That one seems likely to me. I was just wondering. I personally just threw it in because I just read the October issue of Dragon and they had a whole section about Vecna. However, I probably should have thought about it. My PC has no real information about the yaunti's powers/deity, so I actually was thinking about making him a cleric of shar. That was a good question though. Also, I can probably come up with more adventure ideas because of the fact he is a cleric of shar. I haven't read about shadow dragons in a while, but maybe the yaunti is part of a bigger organization that is ran by a shadow dragon that claims to be an avatar of the goddess. Just a thought. What do you think? Gosh...so many ideas now for the rest of the campaign! :)
Dark_Rhapsody 01-15-07, 09:15 AM	Nice, Does the player know he's working for the bad guy? He should know he isn't mommy's good boy (because he's helping to blackmail the mayor), so how is he acting? What is his alignment? Anyway, you can continue giving him tasks (possibly a bit harder) and see how long he complies. At some point he should discover the truth about his boss. His boss should be prepared as he knows what the player is capable off. If your player hasn't got a clue and you're out of ideas about chores the player could do, have the player encounter a NPC that somehow reveals the truth. You'll have nice roleplay options when the player finds his boss. cheers The player has no idea what the yaunti is doing, but he can guess that the mayor is going to get blackmailed. Truthfully, the PC is a good character, but he didn't want to fight the yaunti, because he was afraid of the wizard NPC getting killed. The PC is in love with the wizard, which is named Esvel [enchanter 1; human (fey blooded)]. By the way, I don't have the book to have the complete knowledge of the fey blooded, but I truthfully just printed off one of the excerpts off the Wizards website and I gave her the first fey heritage feats. I also gave her fairy wings (which are two small to use), just for the sake of added effect. But, yeah, that was kinda off track (sorry). I have a feeling that he isn't going to comply to any more of the yaunti's requests. However, maybe I'll have the yaunti blackmail him in some way. Or have the yaunti's familiar (a quasit) use it's alternate form ability to transform into a "good" NPC (they have no paladin to tell them otherwise), which sends them on quests, which are secretly benifitting the yaunti.
Dark_Rhapsody 01-15-07, 09:25 AM	Hmm... Where's the manipulating good monster behind the curtain? I always set up situations like this from all four ends of the alignment spectrum. In my campaign, I have two dragons, an aberration, and a paladin all in the same ten-mile radius, and each of a challenge rating about 3 higher than the party level. Currently, one of the PCs is dating one without knowing it. It makes for a good clash when the PCs make everything fall apart. I will probably use the harpers to get envolved later on in the campaign. Actually, in another post on this, I was talking about making the yaunti a cleric of shar, instead of vecna, which would go with the faerunian feal a bit more. This would mean that maybe a cell of the church of selun helps the PC and party, kinda inderectly at first, but then, maybe later on, more directly. This could set up a really sweet holy war situation almost between the Shar worshipers and the Selun worshipers (I know...kind of unoriginal, but it isn't something that I have done before and I have always wanted to do, and also brings the actual religions of Faerun into play instead of having them in the background).
Orchomenos 01-15-07, 12:08 PM	Hmm... Where's the manipulating good monster behind the curtain? I always set up situations like this from all four ends of the alignment spectrum. In my campaign, I have two dragons, an aberration, and a paladin all in the same ten-mile radius, and each of a challenge rating about 3 higher than the party level. Currently, one of the PCs is dating one without knowing it. It makes for a good clash when the PCs make everything fall apart. Hope the PC isn't in love with the aberration... :yuck: Wait... Dark_Rhapsody's PC is in love with the NPC, and she is fey-blood? Could it be possible to give her some secret agenda, like her being working for the Unseelie Court or something like that? And about the Mayor... have him be LE, represented by some very harsh laws, so the PC would be happy for now that the yuan-ti is blackmailing him. As a side note, the Yuan-ti deity is Merrshaulk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrshaulk).
Dark_Rhapsody 01-15-07, 01:00 PM	Hope the PC isn't in love with the aberration... :yuck: Wait... Dark_Rhapsody's PC is in love with the NPC, and she is fey-blood? Could it be possible to give her some secret agenda, like her being working for the Unseelie Court or something like that? And about the Mayor... have him be LE, represented by some very harsh laws, so the PC would be happy for now that the yuan-ti is blackmailing him. As a side note, the Yuan-ti deity is Merrshaulk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrshaulk). Why can't the PC be in love with a fey-blood? I mean, it isn't really all that odd. She isn't really a full fairy, she just has fairy wings. Besides, in mythology, humans fall in love with nymphs and feys of the like. She is related to the fey, but she has no connection to them. Also, my PC is a half-faerie dragon. He doesn't have the scales and certain abilities (I altered the template to alow him to be a less powerful half-dragon). Most people think that is odd to alow a half-faerie dragon in the campaign, but I find it intriguing. Oh, and I know who the yaunti deity is, but like any other race: there are those who are different from the group. The mayor is a neutral character, but he does have a habit of being very vain and self-rightous. As I said, he has a gambling problem, but he would never admit it. The PC didn't know why the yaunti wanted the proof, but he could have guessed. That is why he went to Silverymoon. His reasoning behind helping the yaunti was that the mayor was apparently vain and arogent. That he viewed was wrong. By helping the yaunti, he could protect Esvel. She was already badly injured from the fight through goblins, orcs, and a huge viper; they never bought any potions from the alchemist before they left...because he was absent minded in preparing. However, I am interested in what the Unseelie Court is. Is there a link to a thread or any sites about it?
Free1983 01-16-07, 04:22 AM	Why can't the PC be in love with a fey-blood? Sure he can. If he enjoys himself, let him! Cheers
Orchomenos 01-16-07, 11:04 AM	Why can't the PC be in love with a fey-blood? I mean, it isn't really all that odd. Of course, everyone would want to be in love with a fey, and would hope it'd be reciproque. :cloud9: And that was my suggestion after the first sentence. In that first sentence, I was talking about Thomar_of_Uointer's game where his 4 NPCs are two dragons, a paladin and an aberration. A PC wouldn't have a problem being in love with a paladin. If the dragon can use alternate shape, it's not that tricky. But an aberration? :coolcthul :behold:
Thomar_of_Uointer 01-16-07, 12:33 PM	Of course, everyone would want to be in love with a fey, and would hope it'd be reciproque. :cloud9: And that was my suggestion after the first sentence. In that first sentence, I was talking about Thomar_of_Uointer's game where his 4 NPCs are two dragons, a paladin and an aberration. A PC wouldn't have a problem being in love with a paladin. If the dragon can use alternate shape, it's not that tricky. But an aberration? :coolcthul :behold: Ah, I'd go into detail, but a player started yelling at me when I took a little inspiration from Oakspar's notes on a Zombiegeddon during the last game. I'm sure you understand. :P Anyways, a couple of things (http://www.kobolds-keep.net/Progressions.pdf, elans, disguise self, mind control, all of Lovecraft's work) allow Things Which Should Not Be to have social lives with few problems. Besides, the aberration is more memetic than substansial.
Dark_Rhapsody 01-16-07, 06:16 PM	Okay, I have expaned more on my campaign idea. Anyways, here we go: (warning...that this may be really long) ----------------------------------------------- As you know, Selune created Chantea, which is the earth. Chantea wanted warmth and light to bring life to Toril. Shar and Selune start fighting over this, thus creating the rest of the pantheon through the divine energy that came forth in the struggle. In a desperate attempt, Selune threw her divine essence at Shar, badly wounding her. Shar retreated, forever in hatred, while Selune became the moon, but still sentient. This, however, is very common knowledge, and can be found in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (I just wanted to repeat this for those who don't have the book). Afterwards, five races appeared on Faerun: the dragons, the sylvans/fey, an aquatic race of shapechangers, the saurian race (lizardfolk, nagas, etc.). This is where I start telling my addition to it: Among the sylvans were a group of fey that were very much like the elves. They were were slim with angelic-like skin and hair and eyes the color of silver. Upon their backs were wings of pure white that were almost like a moths. Present High Forest is where they dwelled, and they called Selune their goddess. These fey were pioneers in science, and even made very early, yet very complicated and accurate lunar calendars. Because of their love of the moon, modern scholars (those few who know of them) call them "moon druids", which of course a bastardisation of their true name. One night, a meteorshower swept across the sky, and a rock fell right into their city. They viewed the rock as a gift from Selune, and treasured it dearly. Shar, seeing these fey and their love of her hated sister, went to members of the draconic race. She offered them great power for their allegance, but most turned her down because of mistrust. Those that accepted were tranformed, their very physical form ran with negative energy; Shar had created the shadow dragon race. She told her followers that they must take from the moon druids the meteor rock and kill those who were it's keepers. Thus, in the dark of the night, the shadow dragons attacked the moon druid city. Despite fey attempts, they could not stand against draconic might. However, the dragons never got a hold of the rock. Before they could, the leader of the moon druid's retreated into a gate, never to be seen again. For their failure to find the rock, Shar bound the shadow dragons to her. Shar allowed the shadow dragons' offspring to be free, for she wanted them to corrupt the world with their darkness. Those that were bound to Shar are called the Dark Paragons, for their might far surpassed their decendants. Many centuries later, after the elves and dwarves had came to Toril, a unknown person asked an elvish craftman to create a gauntlet and staff out of an unknown rock. The elf didn't ask questions, however, he could sense that the rock had magical properties. The unknown man took the items, which was of course the leader of the fey, then hid them in a place unknown. This was because he had a vision, of a decendant of the fey rising up against the Dark Paragons when they returned. The Dark Paragons had been sealed away by elvish archmages, for the dragons were causing much chaos, however, the elves could not physically kill them because of their might. They were sealed away in an orb, and buried deep in the Spine of the World Mountains. Enough history from me (sorry): Now, the seals are fading away on the orb, and the dragons are now communicating with members of Shar's church. The church prepares to gain a hold on the Silver Marches, and all of the lands of the North. With control of the North, the church can prepare for the holy war that they always dreamed of against those who oppose Shar with the Dark Paragons fighting with the church. The church, however, doesn't realize that the Dark Paragons despise being Shar's slaves. They will use the church to their advantage as needed for personal gain. The church of Selune is slowly getting wise to the church, and same with some northern Harpers cells. However, they know nothing of the moon druids or the items forged from the meteorite. The fey-blood that the moon druid was talking about was of course Esvel. ----------------------------------------------- Okay, the rest (the beginning module/adventure) I have already stated earlier in this thread. I am very sorry that of the length of this. Don't kill me *curls up on ground in fetal position* I really hope you like the idea. I took a while writting it. :)
_SIN_ 01-16-07, 08:28 PM	I think your idea sounds grand! :) Although I'm not a lover of playing races other than those most akin to humans, your plot line sound good. The main thing is that you've got a good solid objective - retrieve the gauntlet and staff and take on the shadow dragons and their twisted network. The PC and NPC have a strong bond (i.e. They're in love.... ahhhhhh ;) ), which I think really helps to keep players in character, which in turn leads to better character development. I like the 'political intregue', which again helps build character due to the amount of literal role playing needed to succeed in such adventures, yet it has the promise of some major skirmishes too! I give your idea the thumbs up!! :) Keep us posted with any turns your campaign takes - It sounds good. I may have to steal it....:devil:
Dark_Rhapsody 01-16-07, 09:28 PM	I think your idea sounds grand! :) Although I'm not a lover of playing races other than those most akin to humans, your plot line sound good. The main thing is that you've got a good solid objective - retrieve the gauntlet and staff and take on the shadow dragons and their twisted network. The PC and NPC have a strong bond (i.e. They're in love.... ahhhhhh ;) ), which I think really helps to keep players in character, which in turn leads to better character development. I like the 'political intregue', which again helps build character due to the amount of literal role playing needed to succeed in such adventures, yet it has the promise of some major skirmishes too! I give your idea the thumbs up!! :) Keep us posted with any turns your campaign takes - It sounds good. I may have to steal it....:devil: I am soooo happy that someone like my campaign idea. I had idea for the adventure/module, but I wanted to really really beef it up to a full on epic campaign. :) Trust me...it took FOREVER to write it all down, but it was so worth it. I really like it, and I feel good now that I know another person likes it :) Oh, and of course there will be huge epic battles. I had actually a campaign like two years ago when the Lord's Alliance took on the City of Shade in one huge battle. Now that was amazing. I guess I don't mind you taking some ideas. It is good to know that someone actually would want to steal the campaign idea.
Undercover 01-17-07, 12:50 AM	I would have to wonder why the need to insert a Greyhawk deity into FR. There are already plenty of deities in FR. I would think you could find an evil deity to be a cleric of fairly easily. :confused: Have you read about Shar? She often manipulates people through their secrets. That one seems likely to me. I was just wondering. Vecna, yes... He's not the stock deity so many settings have, but a truly singular being. Greatest mage of all times, of all worlds while alive/undead, through sheer faith of his followers was brought back from the dead straight into divinity. Imprisoned by powers beyond gods, tricked them, escaped, and achieved greater god status. Clashed head-along against another power beyond gods and died again, and again returned but now as an intermediate deity. When you bring Vecna in all other gods beware, for Vecna's schemes are above mere gods. That is a decision that may well lead to world-shattering events. Ao is another power beyond divinity that no god in FR can oppose, but we're talking about Vecna, and such notions cannot be taken for granted. Vecna is the only deity to ever have fought against such powers: once won, once lost, and is still around to tell the tale. He may as well become one of the primal forces of the universe, and thus indestructible... you can bet he's plotting his way.
Free1983 01-17-07, 02:54 AM	This looks awesome. I hope your player gets the same feeling I'm getting! Cheers :D
Orchomenos 01-17-07, 10:37 AM	The fey-blood that the moon druid was talking about was of course Esvel. This is the only thing I'm not too fond of in your campaign. Making the NPC (very close to be the DMPC) the Prophetized Hero Who Would Free Everyone, instead of using the PC. What if this Prophetized Hero would be the upcoming offspring of the PC and his fey-blood girlfriend? :cool:
Free1983 01-17-07, 02:04 PM	This is the only thing I'm not too fond of in your campaign. Making the NPC (very close to be the DMPC) the Prophetized Hero Who Would Free Everyone, instead of using the PC. What if this Prophetized Hero would be the upcoming offspring of the PC and his fey-blood girlfriend? Dude, This is kind of inconsistent. First you're telling that the hero shouldn't be the NPC, then you suggest that the child of the PC (which is another NPC) should become the hero. :confused: Though I must add that I kind of agree with Orchomenos. It would be better to let the PC be the hero, because in the end, the player(s) want(s) to be the hero. Still thinks this thing is awesome :D, Cheers
Arganis 01-17-07, 02:11 PM	Plenty of suggestions floating around. I just wanted to comment that Yuan-ti are traditionally very under-used and am glad to see them as the central theme of a villainous plot.
Dark_Rhapsody 01-17-07, 03:18 PM	Well, I guess I could possibly change the campaign around to be that there would be two heros. This can be easy enough (two artifacts, two characters). The thing is I have done quite a bit when it comes to focusing on the PC or PCs before. Even if the PC isn't in the "chosen one" they will still be a hero. Obviously Esvele can't fight the dragons by herself. Actually...I was just thinking about this. Okay, if Esvel and the PC are in love, then I can say that they were destined to meet (soul mates). A common explanation of the idea of soul mates is one soul that is broken up into two bodies. So, by being soul mates, they are one soul. This could be the reason why there are TWO artifacts. This, however, is just a thought, and might be a little bit cliche and corney. Oh well, I tried.
Arganis 01-17-07, 03:30 PM	Actually...I was just thinking about this. Okay, if Esvel and the PC are in love, then I can say that they were destined to meet (soul mates). A common explanation of the idea of soul mates is one soul that is broken up into two bodies. So, by being soul mates, they are one soul. This could be the reason why there are TWO artifacts. This, however, is just a thought, and might be a little bit cliche and corney. Oh well, I tried. Perhaps draw on the concept of the traditionally-portrayed nuclear launch keys. Two items that require simultaneous activation to achieve a single end. You needn't candy-coat it with terms like destiny, soul mate, or chosen one. Just call them both Bearers.
Dark_Rhapsody 01-17-07, 04:52 PM	Okay, I was thinking about today how I really need to get more info on the Silver Marches. It is definantly the main geographical area and where most of the events of the campaign will probably occur. I mean, I have the Forgotten Realms core book, but I don't have anything beyond that. Would any of you suggest maybe I should buy the Silver Marches FR book? It is about $29...or at least I think so. I just don't have much money to work with. I only have about $20, which is already going towards something else, and I am getting about $30 from my mom because of the money she owes me. Is the book have enough useful info that you would suggest buying it? Sorry...I just don't get much money.